Settlers say they purchased home, next to Cave of the Patriarchs; IDF
cordons off building until ownership clarified

150 Israelis entered a three-story house located next to the Cave of
the Patriarchs in Hebron late Wednesday night.

Settlers who entered the empty home say they purchased it legally
from a Palestinian. The police and army have decided to cordon off
the home to prevent more people from entering until ownership of the
home is confirmed.

The building, known as Beit Hamachpela, is the latest of a number of
homes Israelis in the mixed city have tried to enter and claimed
ownership to.

In 2008, the IDF evacuated settlers who had moved into the Beit
Hameriva, or House of Contention, building between Hebron and Kiryat
Arba. The building was also known as Beit Hashalom, or house of Peace.

In that case the High Court ruled the settlers did not have a solid
claim to the four-story building.

MK Michael Ben Ari called on settlers Wednesday to retake homes that
belonged to Jews before the city came under Jordanian control in 1948.